Decius wrote:
I've read some of the cases Hewitt references in this discussion, and some of his positions are totally irrational... JA raises the crux that this issue places conservatives in... Are you really a strict constructionalist when it means sacrificing your own power to make war?

Of course, Alter gets pasted by Hewitt, who uses all the tricks of a talk show host to diminish his opponent, marginalize his views and do it all "for the viewer". I think the crux you speak of is irrelevant because it hasn't gotten enough airing to adjust the thinking of many people. I'm not sure that it ever will, but even if it does, I'm skeptical of the actual effect it will have.

I have a tough time believing that any conservatives in the mold Alter describes are still confused about their relationship to this administration. It don't see a backlash. A slow retreat from some of Bush's more unpopular positions, perhaps, in order to set up a bargaining position for the 08 candidate they hope will replace him.

RE: Rumblings of the conservative backlash I harkened?